Solution Combustion Synthesis of ZnO Using Binary Fuel (Glycine plus Citric Acid)

摘要

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of zinc oxide was performed using a binary fuel, glycine and citric acid. It was established that combustion occurs due to oxidation of zinc nitrate-glycine complexes. Citric acid acts as an inhibitor of SCS reaction. An increase in relative content of organic fuel in the solution leads to a reduction in maximal combustion temperature and to formation of elemental carbon (0.2-1.6 wt %) and organic fragments (1.55-3.29 wt %) in SCS-produced zinc oxide. Carbon impurity and organic fragments were removed by annealing at 600 degrees C. The produced wurtzite-type ZnO crystals had a size of 27-37 nm and were assembled into agglomerates. After annealing at 500 degrees C, the specific surface of the powder was 8.44-11.09 m(2)/g. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO powder was evaluated from the rate of hydroquinone photodecomposition in solution.